Fergie: Exit Door Is Open!

A number of youngsters could go out on loan after United's early exit from the Carling Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson said that the Carling Cup represents an excellent opportunity for young players to learn and improve in competitive games but they have thrown away their chance by losing 2-0 to Coventry.

The shock defeat could to a small exodus in January, with players who are not needed at the first-team squad will be probably loaned out.

'We looked at the League Cup as an opportunity for these players to play," he said.

'Now that's gone I think we'll have to review the situation with one or two of them going on loan, because they do need football.

'With Neville and Hargreaves coming back we've got a good strong squad. There'll have to be some that we have to keep. Pique was excellent on Wednesday. He was our best player along with Anderson. We'll probably keep Simpson as he can play both full-back positions. But I'm maybe looking at the rest going on loan as they need to play football."

There was speculation that Fergie had been left frustrated by Anderson's perceived poor performance but it seems it was really nothing more than speculation. Otherwise, this loan business is not a great shock, to be honest.